The cream of the world's young golf talent heads for Scotland in May to take part in the prestigious US Kids Golf European Championships. More than 400 players from at least 30 nations will be competing on five of Scotland’s historic courses in East Lothian with boys and girls split into different age categories.
Top finishers in each category will then compete in the Van Horn Cup – a modelled on the Ryder Cup, where the best European players take on the rest of the world. The top five finishers in each age and gender group also receive an invitation to the US Kids Golf World Championships at Pinehurst, North Carolina, in August.
Entries are still being accepted to the tournament jointly organised by Wee Wonders Limited and US Kids Golf Foundation, both committed to growing the game among children and families worldwide.
Tournament Director John Godwin says: “The skill of the players really has to be seen to be believed. Despite their age, they demonstrate great poise, and professionalism."
The 2009 European Championships will be played from May 26-28 at Gullane No. 2, Gullane No. 3, Craigielaw, Kilspindie and Luffness New golf courses. The Van Horn Cup is played on May 29 at Gullane No. 1.
The courses are modified for each age group in order to provide the same level challenge – so holes are progressively shorter as the age groups get younger. It ultimately allows the players to reach the greens in the same number of strokes as a pro.
US Kids Golf is the world’s largest producer of junior golf equipment for ages 14 and under and has pioneered the development of golf clubs for young people, eliminating the need for children to use heavier, cut-down adult clubs which often hurts their developing swings.
For more information and to enter the US Kids Golf European Championships, visit www.uskidsgolf.com
